Social Protection, Property Rights and Forest Sustainability: An In-Depth Case Study of Georgia
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: This study examines the first Sustainable Development Goal and its relationship with forest resources at global and regional levels. The research focuses on the link between social protection systems, property rights, and forest sustainability using a multifaceted analytical approach. Georgia, as a country undergoing post-Soviet transformation, represents a unique case study for examining poverty and forest management dynamics. The study encompasses a detailed analysis of the relationship between global forest cover and poverty, substantive examination of poverty reduction strategy documents, and comparative analysis based on data from ten countries. Georgia's significant achievements in poverty reduction (extreme poverty decreased from 15% to 3% during 2010-2020) coincide with serious challenges in sustainable forest resource management. Key research findings demonstrate that the relationship between poverty reduction and forest sustainability varies significantly by region, decade, forest transformation stage, and market accessibility. Effective implementation of Goal 1 requires an integrated approach that combines social protection policies, property rights assurance, and ecosystem service mechanisms.
Institution: Georgian Technical University
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7214577109